Customers often ask us, "I'm not sure what type of stone is used in my home, what should I do?"

Common types of stones found in homes include natural marble, natural granite, engineered quartz stone, and artificial marble stone. Additionally, there are non-stone polished quartz tiles and artificial resin stone. However, many consumers find it challenging to clearly distinguish between these types, leading to potential mistakes in choosing maintenance and care products.

Therefore, XShine has compiled a simple guide to explain the common types of stones and polished quartz tiles found in homes. This will help you understand and identify the stones and tiles in your home, allowing you to choose the appropriate restoration and maintenance products without any worries!

1. Formation: Metamorphic rock. Formed through the metamorphism of rocks such as limestone and dolomite under high temperature and pressure.

2. Primary mineral composition: Mainly composed of calcium carbonate and dolomite.

3. Appearance: Exhibits a "variety of colors" and "beautiful patterns," making it a high-end and elegant interior building material.

4. Mineral hardness: The mineral hardness is low, with a Mohs hardness of approximately 3.

1. Formation: Igneous rock. Formed by the cooling and solidification of magma below the Earth's surface, gradually crystallizing over time.

2. Primary mineral composition: Mainly composed of quartz and feldspar.

3. Appearance: Exhibits a "distinctive crystalline structure" (with occasional vein patterns). It is a considerably sturdy, durable, and stable material used for both indoor and outdoor construction.

4. Mineral hardness: The mineral hardness is high, with a Mohs hardness ranging from approximately 5 to 7.

1.Manufacturing process: Produced by pressing a mixture of stone powder, artificial or natural aggregates, color pigments, and resin or acrylic as a binding agent into sheets, followed by grinding and polishing.

2.Primary mineral composition: Stone powder and crushed natural stone aggregates.

3.Appearance: Resembles natural stone, with a smooth surface lacking micropores.

4.Mineral hardness: Low hardness, with a Mohs hardness of approximately 2 to 3.

1.Manufacturing process: Marble chips are used as aggregates, combined with resin as a binding agent. The mixture is formed into blocks, which are then cut into slabs and polished.

2.Primary mineral composition: Marble fragments and resin.

3.Appearance: Exhibits a variety of colors, with visible granular or block-like marble aggregates.

4.Mineral hardness: The mineral hardness is low, with a Mohs hardness of approximately 2 to 3.

1.Manufacturing process: Composed mainly of quartz stone powder (containing over 90%) or granules, combined with resin as a binding agent. The mixture undergoes high-pressure firing to create single slabs, which are then polished.

2.Primary mineral composition: Quartz.

3.Appearance: Exhibits a variety of colors, with visible, evenly distributed quartz particles. In recent years, there are also patterns that mimic natural stone. Commonly used for kitchen countertops.

4.Mineral hardness: The mineral hardness is high, with a Mohs hardness of approximately 7.5.

1.Manufacturing process: Using crushed natural stones, glass, and other aggregates mixed with cement as a binding agent, it is formed into sheets or poured evenly on the floor. After the cement has solidified and cured, it is polished and ground to create the final product.

2.Primary mineral composition: Crushed natural stones (such as marble or granite).

3.Mineral hardness: Varies depending on the included aggregates.

1.Manufacturing process: Various minerals, including clay, feldspar, and quartz, are mixed and processed, then fired at high temperatures to create slabs. The surfaces are subsequently polished and ground.

2.Primary mineral composition: Mainly composed of quartz and feldspar.

3.Appearance: Monochrome or with patterns resembling natural stone, available in a variety of colors. Primarily used for flooring.

4.Mineral hardness: The mineral hardness is high, with a Mohs hardness of 6 or above.